S 3503 

R53 ne 

915 



i|0 PLAYS EXCHANGED, 



- ^ .AHER'^ Edition 

of PLAY3 



A Modern Cinderella 



Price, 25 Cents 



Jl* 01. Pinero's Plays 

Price» 50 £etit$ €acb 



THF AMA7nN^ Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, five fe- 
int rilTli\£iv/liiJ males. Costumes, modern; scenery, not 
difficult. Plays a full evening. 

THE CABINET MINISTER li^^.Z^'g^^. ?o? 

tumes, modern society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening- 

HANFiY rilPlf Farce in Three Acts. Seven male.«, four fe- 
"'»»»" I 1/1V.»IV. m;iles. Costumes, uuidern; scenery, two inte- 
riors. Plays two hours and a half. 

TUr TAV ! nOn niirY comedy in Four Acts. Fourmales, 
inCiVzAI JLUlVLr V£lU£.A ten females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Flays a full evening. 

UIC UrklTCI? IM ni^ni^D comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, 
niO nUUOEi lll UlXUtIV t„ur females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

TUIi' Uf^RIHV UriDQF Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, 
inCi nXJaai nWI\OlJ five feinales. Costumes, modern; 
scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. 

IpiC Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 
•"•"^ modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

I AHY ROITNTIFITI Pl^y >'' F»ur Acts. Eight males, seven 
Mjt\Lf I DV/UlilirUlj female.'. Costumes, modern; scen- 
ery, four interiors, not easy. Plays a full evening. 

f FTTY f *rama in Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, ^five 
I'Eilll females. Costumes, modern; scenery complicated. 
Plays a full evening. 

THF MAriQTRATF Farce ii. Three Acts. Twelve males, 
IllE" lU/\VJliJ llVi* 1 El four females. Costumes, modern; 
scenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttv ^. JPafeer & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



A Modern Cinderella 

A Comedy in Two Acts 



By 

GLADYS RUTH BRIDGHAM 

Author of-^ Leave it to Polly" "^ Case for 
Sherlock Holmes "etc. 



BOSTON 
WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1915 



p£ 



A Modern Cinderella 






R55 



CHARACTERS 



Cinderella O' Brien. 

Genevieve Nichols 

Mary Smith 
-Esther Barnes 

Louise Montgomery 
-Edna Gillett 

Hazel Fiske 

Pauline Mitford 
Lucile Woodbridge 
Avis Cook 
Dorothy Ames 
Ethel Atkins 
Enid Nelson 

Mrs. Mitford, ^Ae principal. Should be represented as about 

forty-five. 
Miss St. Eustis, her assistant. Should be represented as about thirty. 
Mrs. O'Brien. 

SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — Room in the Mitford School for girls. 
Act II. — Room in the Silver Lake Hotel. Evening of the same 
day. 

Plays One and a Half Hours 



Jreshmen. Should be played by girls from 
thirteen to fifteen years old. Hazel should 
dress a7id otppear somewhat older than the 
other freshmen. With the exception of 
Hazel the freshmen do not need to change 
their costumes for the second act. 



Seniors. Should be played by girls 
from seventeen to nineteen. 




Copyright, 1915, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 



FEB 26 1915 

^CI.D 3 9798 



A Modern Cinderella 



ACT I 

SCENE. — Room in the Mitford School. Exits, r., l., and 
c. J large desk at the right of stage, smaller one at the left, 
chairs, a table, telephone and so forth. 

(As the curtain rises Hazel Fiske sits at L. c. She holds 
a book in her lap but gives it very little attention. She 
glances impatiently tozvard the door. Genevieve Nichols 
and^nnx Gillett enter c.) 

Gen. (speaking as she enters). Oh, dear ! I feel so insig- 
nificant ! Why can't you get through a school without having 
to be a freshman ? Oh, are you here. Hazel ? 

Hazel. Yes, I'm waiting to see Mrs. Mitford. Do you 
know where she is ? 

Edna. She ought to be in here, hadn't' she? 

Hazel. Yes, a half an hour ago. I have waited and 
waited ! Oh, girls, I have an invitation to a party. Do you 
suppose she will let me go? 

Edna. I don't know. What do you think, Gene? 

Gen. It's doubtful. I guess she is pretty strict about let- 
ting the girls attend affairs outside the school. 

Hazel. Do you believe you could help me any. Miss 
Nichols? I'm simply dying to go ! 

Gen. I help you ? I guess not ! Any of the girls can help 
you easier than I can. The fact that I am Mrs. Mitford's niece 
doesn't count for anything. Pauline is her own daughter and 
you can ask her how much it amounts to as far as the school 
goes. Goodness knows Pauline has tried to get around Aunt 
Amy but she hasn't succeeded yet. 

Hazel. Well, if I can't go to this party I shall be sick in 
bed. 

Edna. How silly ! We have all kinds of parties here all 
through the year. 



4 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

Hazel. Oh, this is different. The invitation is from a 
classmate of my brother's who is in town over Sunday. Oh, 
girls, if you could only see him ! 

Gen. If there is a young man in it you won't go. I can 
tell you that. 

Edna. I don't believe you would get out to-night anyway. 

Hazel. What is going to happen to-night ? I've heard 
nothing but senior nominations all the morning. 

Gen. I know it. Isn't it tiresome? Don't I hate to be a 
freshman ! 

Hazel. But what is it ? What do they do to-night? 

Gen. For goodness' sake don't you know ? 

Hazel. As much as any freshman knows, I guess. 

Edna. None of us have a very clear idea and the most of 
the freshmen won't ask. If you know. Gene, tell us. 

Gen. Well, you know a week from next Monday is senior 
election. To-night a committee of six seniors who were ap- 
pointed last spring hold a meeting to nominate the officers for 
election. They have to choose four for president and two for 
other offices. All next week the seniors have a campaign and 
it is a lively time. To-niglit is supposed to be a private meet- 
ing but every year the juniors and sophomores try to get some 
of their class into the meeting. If any member of another class 
can steal the senior banner which they always have at their 
meeting, and get it to her class president, that class can enjoy 
all the privileges of the seniors for the year. 

Edna. Isn't that great ? 

Hazel. Yes, and isn't it an odd idea? 

Gen. Yes, it is. It started ten years ago, and at first the 
classes had terrible scraps but after one or two girls had been 
hurt Aunt Amy wouldn't let them goon. She said it was as bad 
as a college rush and anything but lady-like. So she gave them 
the privilege of sending to the meeting as many of their class 
as there were seniors on the committee. 

Edna. Did any of the girls ever get in to the meetings ? 

Gen. Oh, yes, they get in every year but they never get 
away with the banner. The seniors are ready and put them 
out almost before they are in. 

Enter Cinderella O'Brien, l. She is rather small mid very 
pretty. She wears a bungalow apron and a cap and has a 
duster in her hand. She crosses the stage and places some 
letters on the desk at R. 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 5 

Hazel. Isn't Miss Mitford on the committee ? 

Gen. Pauline? Yes, she is chairman and perhaps she 
doesn't feel good about it ! 

Edna {glancing curiously at Cind. ) . I — I thought that — that 
— was you. 

Cind. (^laughing'). But you weren't sure in these clothes? 

Hazel (in surprise). Why, it's Miss O'Brien, isn't it? 
(Z<? Gen.) You know, of our class. 

Gen. Why, so it is. {There is an awkward pause?) You 
— you are helping my aunt ? 

Cind. Yes. My mother is the head cook and your aunt is 
kind enough to let me work my way through the school. 

Gen. {trying to speak naturally'). Why, isn't that nice ? 

Cind. It certainly is nice for me, for I couldn't go through 
any other way. \^Exit, L. 

Hazel {with a disagreeable laugh). Well, doesn't that seem 
odd ! I didn't know that Mrs. Mitford took charity pupils 
here. 

Gen. I don't believe she does very often. I wanted to see 
Aunt Amy but I guess I won't wait. 

Hazel. Nor I any longer. 1 can come back again. 

(Hazel exits R.,follotejed by Edna and Gen. Gen. looks 
back as Pauline Mitford enters c. Paul, is pretty, very 
up-to-date in her dress and manners and very niuchpleased 
with herself.) 

Paul. Oh, hello. Gene ! Is mother through so soon ? 

G'E.'^. {coming back into room). Through? She hasn't been 
up here at all. I think she must be with Miss Maxwell. They 
had some work to do together. Say, Pauline, does your mother 
take many charity cases ? 

Paul. Charity cases ? I don't understand. Kindly ex- 
plain. 

Gen. Why, a girl in our class was in here working a few 
minutes ago. She said her mother was a cook and that she was 
working her way through the school. I don't believe it will 
strike some of the girls just right. It does seem kind of odd, 
doesn't it ? 

Paul. Well, 1 should say so. I never heard anything about 
it before. Well, if mother isn't here I shall have to go where 
she is. I can't wait. 

{They exeunt, l. Cind. enters, r., and begins to dust the fur- 
niture. Mrs. Mitford enters, c. She goes to desk at r.) 



6 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

Mrs. M. Miss O'Brien, did you bring up the mail ? 

CiND. Yes'm, 

Mrs. M. {walking to desk at l.). Do you think you could 
straighten out some of this for me? (Cind. goes to desk.') 
Here is a card index of last year's classes. It needs to be en- 
tirely rearranged. Here is a catalogue and the registration 
list. Miss Maxwell is supposed to do all of this but Miss Austin 
has been called home and Miss Maxwell has to do all of her 
work. I think you might learn to do this work here. How 
would you like to learn to run the typewriter ? You could an- 
swer all of my letters and I will have one of the maids do your 
other work. 

Cind. That would keep me with you part of the afternoon, 
wouldn't it? 

Mrs. M. {smiling). Yes. Would you like that ? 

Cind. Better than anything in the world. 1 will learn any- 
thing you say. 

Mrs. M. Very well. Put your duster away and see what 
you can do with the card index. 

(Cind. exits, l. Paul, enters, r.) 

Paul. Mother, at last ! I have looked everywhere for you. 
Where in the world have you been ? 

Mrs. M. {calmly). I have been busy. What can I do for 
you, my dear? 

Paul. Will you chaperone our nomination party to-night ? 

Mrs. M. {going back to her desk a7id beginnifig to open her 
mail). Are you on the committee, Pauline? 

Paul. On it ? Why, mother, I am chairman. Didn't you 
know it ? 

Mrs. M. I believe I did know it now I stop to think about 
it. I had forgotten. I have a good many things to occupy my 
mind, you know. 

Paul. Oh, dear ! I don't believe you care a straw about 
my winning class honors. 

Mrs. M. I am glad if you are pleased, dear. Be sure you 
make the right kind of use of the honors. I am sorry, Pauline, 
that I cannot chaperone your party, but it is impossible. I 
think very likely Miss Maxwell will be able to go. 

Paul, {in a whifiitig voice). Oh, mother ! 

Mrs. M. Pauline ! I would like you to take a guest with 
you if the girls don't think it would be against the rules. 

Paul. A guest ? Who ? 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 7 

Mrs. M. Miss St. Eustis. 

Paul, {delighted). The artist? Oh, I guess the girls will 
take her, rules or no rules. 

Mrs. M. She will be very much pleased. She telephoned 
about an hour ago that she would be out to spend the niglit 
with me. And now, my dear, if that was all you wanted you 
will have to let me look after my mail. (Cind. enters, L., im- 
noticed by the others. She sits at desk, l., hidden from their 
viezv, and begins to work on the index.) Tell your committee 
that I appreciate the honor of your invitation and would go if 
it were possible. 

Paul, (starting to exit, c, comes back). Oh, mother, I 
forgot to ask you. Is it true that you are letting some girl 
work her way through the school ? The cook's daughter, I 
think Gene said ? 

Mrs. M. Yes, it is true. 

Paul. But, mother, why in the world did you do it ? You 
never did before. 

(Cind. waits eagerly for the answer.) 

Mrs. M. I never happened before to see a girl who wanted 
the opportunity, or was worthy of it if I gave it to her. 

Paul. But, mother, this is an exclusive school. 

Mrs. M. Yes, altogether too exclusive ! 

Paul. But what will the girls think ? 

Mrs. M. I don't know, and to speak quite plainly I don't 
at all care. 

Paul. But, mother, there is such a fine set of girls who 
attend here and they will never be willing to associate with 
such a girl. 

(Cind. shows that she is hurt.) 

Mrs. M. Have you seen Miss O'Brien ? 

Paul. No, and I don't want to. For pity's sake, don't 
shove your charity object off onto me ! 

Mrs. M. {sternly). Pauline ! I regret more than you can 
ever know that you should voice such sentiments. It would 
please me if I thought you were one-half the girl that Miss 
O'Brien is. I hope to heaven that when you go away to col- 
lege the four years will broaden your views and do for you 
what I seem to have been unable to do. It is time you learned 
to value a girl beyond her clothes and the social distinction of 
her family. 



a A MODERN CINDERELLA 

Paul, {aghast). Mother ! 

(CiND. wipes some tears from her eyes and goes resolutely 
to work. Louise Montgomery comes to door, c.) 

Mrs. M. You wish to see me, Miss Montgomery? 

Lou. (entering). Yeth'm, but I'm noth in any hurry. 
That ith, I'm in a hurry, buth I can wait jeth well ath not. 

Mrs. M. (Jgnoritig Paul.). No need of waiting at all. 
What can I do for you? [Exit Paul., r. 

Lou, Oh, Mrs. Mithford, I'm havin' theth a time! All 
my life I have been tho forgethful, and I can't theem to help 
it. {Drops her green bag on a chair as she walks toward the 
desk.) You know the rule abouth leavin' things around? 
Well, honeth, Mrs. Mithford, half the things I brougth with 
me are lockth up. {Drops a book on the desk as she talks.) 
To-day theems to be a little worth than the reth. I left my 
lathin on my desk, my althebra in the library, my hithtory in 
the thitting-room and I don't thee how I am goin' to geth a 
letthon for to-morrow. Then I left my thweater in the gym 
and my coat in the dinin'-hall an' I haven' anythin' left but 
my evenin' cape. Whath in the world am I goin' to do ? 

Mrs. M. {laughing a little). And they are all locked up? 
Well, you are a hopeless case ! If they were all trifles you 
would have to go without them, but I don't see how you are 
going to get along without the necessities of life. ( Writes on 
a card and hands it to Lou.) There, give that to Miss Max- 
well and she will give you your coat and books. The other 
things you have lost you will have to wait for. 

Lou. Oh, thank you. You are tho kind ! {Starts to exit.) 

Mrs. M. Miss Montgomery, what is this ? 

{Takes up the book on her desk.) 

Lou. {coming back for it). Oh, my Englith ! 

Mrs. M. And that? {Points to the chair.) 

Lou. My green bag ! ( Takes it zip.) Oh, ithn't it fearful ! 

Mrs. M. I should say it was. You will misplace your 
head and Miss Maxwell will have that locked up if you aren't 
careful. {YiKZ^i. enters, s..) Well, Miss Fiske ? 

\^Exit Lou., c. 

Hazel. I have an invitation, Mrs. Mitford, and please may 
I accept it ? I want to so very much. 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 9 

{Hands Mrs. M. the invitation. She reads it.") 

Mrs. M. (looking up from the invitation). Who is this 
young man ? 

Hazel. A classmate of my brother's at Yale. 

Mrs. M. Your parents know him ? 

Hazel. Oh, certainly. He has visited us. 

Mrs. M. And these people who are giving the party ? 
Does your father know them ? 

Hazel. Oh, no, we don't know them. The gentleman is 
Mr. Harris' uncle. 

Mrs. M. Are your parents in the habit of allowing you to 
accept invitations from young men ? 

Hazel. Oh, yes, any one they know. 

Mrs. M. Well, now the situation is just this. Miss Fiske. 
I couldn't possibly permit you to go way out to Silver Lake 
unchaperoned. In fact I couldn't allow you to go anywhere 
unchaperoned, and this isn't an invitation where I could pre- 
sume to send a teacher with you. Then again the invitation 
doesn't seem very important to me. If your parents knew 
these people and wished you to attend I might consider it. 
{Hands her the invitation.') I think under the circumstances 
you had better decline. 

Hazel {very indignant). But, Mrs. Mitford 

Mrs. M. {taking up her mail). We have discussed this 
sufficiently, I think. You may go. (Hazel exits, c, with her 
head in the air. Mrs. M. makes some rapid tiotes on her 
letters and walks over to Cind.) How are you getting along? 

CiND. I don't know. Is this right ? {Shows her the index.) 

Mrs. M. {examining it). Yes. You are doing famously. 
I thought you had a good head on a good pair of shoulders. 
Here are some letters to answer. I have made some notes as 
to what I wish said. Bring them to me to sign before you 
send them out. Take this to Miss Burke. 

Cind. Right now ? 

Mrs. M. Yes. I can't spend any more time here this 
afternoon. If any more girls wish to see me, tell t'nem to wait 
until to-morrow if they possibly can. If it is really important 
they can come to me in Miss Maxwell's study. 

(Cind. exits, r., with a letter. Mrs. M. takes some papers 
from her desk and exits, c.) 

Enter Enid Nelson, l. 



10 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

Enid (looking back from door and calling). Mrs. Mitford 
isn't here, girls. 

Enter Avis Cook, Lucile Woodbridge, Dorothy Ames and 
Ethel Atkins, l. 

Avis {looking about as she enters). She isn't? 

Dor. Well, where in the world is Pauline? 

Paul, (enter i7ig R.). Right here. 

Ethel. Pauline, is your mother going with us ? 

Paul, (shortly). No, she isn't ! 

All (disappointed). Oh, why? 

Paul. She says that she is too busy and that we will have 
to ask Miss Maxwell. 

Enid. Perhaps she didn't care to go. We shouldn't have 
expected it of her. 

Paul. No, it isn't that. She said she appreciated the in- 
vitation and would have liked to go. 

Ethel. Can't you persuade her, Paul ? 

Paul, (decidedly). I cannot. I have been foolish enough 
to get in wrong with mother and it will take me some time to 
get right. Girls, mother wants us to take Miss St. Eustis with 
us. She is a famous artist, you know, and, girls, do shine up 
to her. She might invite some of us to her studio to a tea or 
something. Don't you know, when she came out last year she 
invited some of the seniors out to her home. Wilifred Adams 
said it was the most heavenly place and they had the time of 
their lives. 

Enid. Yes, I remember. She does famous girl pictures, 
doesn't she? 

Paul. Yes. 

Ethel. Girls, I feel positive that we are safe to-night. 

Avis. So do I. No one has the least idea where we are 
going. 

Dor. You are the cleverest girl, Pauline ! 

Paul, {delighted). You flatter me. The only thing that 
worries me is something to eat. You know way out there in 
the country and rather late in the season I don't know how well 
prepared they will be. 

Dor. Oh, they will have something. I should think they 
would be prepared for auto parties. 

Enid. Why not telephone out? 

Paul. Not I. I wouldn't dare to even whisper our desti- 
nation over a telephone. 



A MODERN CINDERELLA II 

Ethel. You had better not. Do you know what the soph- 
omore president has been doing ? CaUing up all the hotels and 
cafe in the city to see if a party of girls has engaged a dining- 
room for to-night. 

All (^greatly excited). Really? 

Ethel. Yes, and what is more she found a room had been 
engaged at the Montclair, and she is going down there with 
five members of her class. Isn't that rich? 

All. Rather ! I should say so ! The best ever ! 

Enter Mrs. O'Brien, l. 

Mrs. O'B. I beg yez pardhon. I wuz afther thinkin' that 
— thet 

Enid {cotning to her rescue). That Mrs. Mitford was here? 

Mrs. O'B. Shure ! Jest thet ! 

Paul. No, she isn't I She is very busy with Miss Max- 
well. Oh, Mrs. O'Brien, a party of us girls are going out to 
Silver Lake in an auto to-night, and could we have something 
to eat to take with us ? 

All. Oh, could we? 

Mrs. O'B. Shure. What would yez want ter be afther 
takin' ? 

Paul. Oh, I don't know. There are eight of us going. 
Put us up a good big box full. We may get plenty at the hotel, 
and we may not, and we don't want to starve by the wayside. 
You won't forget, will you ? 

Mrs. O'B. Shure, I won't ! I'll hev it ready for yez. 

Paul. And, Mrs. O'Brien, you won't tell any one, will 
you ? This is a secret party. 

Mrs. O'B. Shure, an' doesn't the Missus know? 

Paul. Oh, yes, mother knows. 

Mrs. O'B. All roight, thin, mum's the word. 

Paul. Come on, girls. There's lots to do yet. 

{Girls exeunt, r. Cind. enters, R. ; passes them.) 

Mrs. O'B. And are yez goin' to their parthy to-night, 
darlin' ? 

Cind. What ? Those seniors ? Are they going to have a 
party ? 

Mrs. O'B. Shure they is thet. Out ter Silver Lake in a 
ortymobile. An' why didn't they be afther axin' yez? Don't 
yez know thim ? 



12 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

CiND. No. 

Mrs. O'B. And why don't yez, thin? 

CiND. Why, they are seniors, and it is usually quite a while 
before freshmen know seniors. 

Mrs., O'B. (suspiciously). Yer shure thet's the reason? If 
I wuz afther thinkin' thet it wuz becuz I wuz yez mother ! 

CiND. {smili7ig and putting her arm around M-^S. O'B.). 
What would you do ? 

Mrs. O'B. I— I (Helplessly.') I don't know. 

CiND. (laughing). I guess you don't. Never fear, mother 
dear ; with the exception of Mrs. Mitford's niece I don't believe 
a freshman knows one of those girls. 

Mrs. O'B. (looking at her anxiously). Shure an' is it happy 
yez are an' continted ? 

CiND. Of course I am ! I never was so happy in my life. 

Mrs. O'B. Shure, it's broken-hearted I am entoirely at 
times. 

CiND. Why, mother, aren't you glad that I am here? 

Mrs. O'B. Shure, an' yez knows it's that glad I am to hev 
yez, and yit I don't belave I oughter hed yer come. Shure, 
an' don't I wish I could do fer yez and yez never hev ter lift 
yez hand. 

CiND. Mother, dear, haven't you been doing for me ever 
since I was a little girl ? Working yourself to death to board 
me in a nice family and send me to school? And aren't you 
doing for me now? Just think what a chance this is for me to 
gain an education and be right in the house with you. We 
ought to be happy when we have been separated so long. 
After I graduate I can teach and we can have a little place of 
our own, and you won't ever have to work any more. 

Mrs. O'B. Shure, an' v/hat did I iver do to deserve a 
daughter the loikes of you ? An' yez shure it's happy yez are, 
and the girls think it's all roight fer yez ter be here ? 

CiND. Of course they do, and Mrs. Mitford is an angel. 
She has given me some lovely work to try, and if I can do it 
she will have one of the maids do the harder work. 

Mrs. O'B. (delighted). Shure an' yez can do it. I'll risk 
yez to turn yez hand to anythin'. 

CiND. Mother, you are spoiling me ! I didn't have time 
for dinner, and I have a lot more work to do. If I go down to 
the kitchen for a minute will you give me a bite ? 

Mrs. O'B. No dinner, is it? Yez blissid young one, come 
along with me. 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 



13 



(^Exit, L. CiND. starts to follow. Mrs. M. enters, c. 
Hazel enters, r., and stands in the doorway unnoticed by 

Mrs. M.) 

Mrs. M. Miss O'Brien, will you find my daughter and tell 
her that Miss Maxwell seems to have even more to do than I 
have, and I think after all that I had better go with the seniors 
to-night. 

{She exits c. Cind. starts to exit, L.) 

Hazel (^coming forward). Miss O'Brien, is Mrs. Mitford 
going away to-night ? 

Cind. Yes, with the seniors. 

Hazel. They will be late in getting home, won't they? 

Cind. I don't know, but I should imagine they would be 
pretty late. 

{Exit, L. Hazel stands looking after her a second ; then 
she looks cautiously out the door, c, right a?id left. Goes 
to telephone.) 

Hazel. Fairview 24-w, Hello ! Could I speak to Mr. 
William Harris? {Pause.) Hello! Mr. Harris? This is 
Hazel. Yes, I'm going with you but you will have to get me 
back here early. What time will you call for me? You can't 
call at all. I'm going on my own hook. What ? I don't 
know whether it's safe or not. I guess if I can risk it you can. 
No, I don't dare to meet you around here. Can't you meet 
me out at Silver Lake somewhere ? What ? The Silver Lake 
House? All right. What? Why, I'll hire an auto to take 
me out. (^Impatiently.) What in the world is the matter with 
you ? Have you sprouted wings ? I don't see why you invited 
me if you don't want me to go. Well, it's my risk and I guess 
you should worry. What? Yes — eight-thirty? All right. 
Good-bye. 

Enter Gen., b.., followed by Edna, Mary Smith, Esther 
Barnes and Lou. 

Gen. (to Hazel). Well, did you get your permit to go to 
the party? 

Hazel (as she exits c). No, I didn't, and a lot I care ! 

Enter Cind., l. ; goes to desk. 



14 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

Mary. Say, girls, one of the juniors thinks she has discov- 
ered where the seniors are going, and the junior president is 
going to send her to try to steal the banner. 

Esther. Oh, dear, why aren't we in it, too? 

Edna. Don't the freshmen ever send any one out? 

Esther. I don't know. Do they, Gene? 

Gen, I never heard that they did. I never thought 
about it. Do you suppose we could ? 

(^Girls begin to get excited.') 

Edna. Oh, do you? 

Lou. I gueth we couldn't thend any one until thum one 
dithcovers where the theniors are goin'. 

Cind. {looking upfront her work). Aren't Miss Mitford 
and Miss Ames on that committee ? 

Esther. Yes. 

Cind. I know where they are going. 

All {rushing toward the desk). You do? Where? 

Cind. Out to 

Gen. {warningly). Don't say it loud 1 

Cind. The Silver Lake House. 

All. How do you know ? 

Cind. My mother told me, but I haven't the least idea how 
she happens to know. They are going out in an auto, and 
Mrs. Mitford is going to chaperone them. 

Edna. Oh, my goodness 1 My goodness 1 Do you be- 
lieve any of us could get way out there ? 

Esther. Yes, I know how we could. 

All. How ? 

Esther. The same way the seniors are going. In an auto. 
My brother has a car, and our home is right here in town, you 
know. If I call Billy up he will come over, or if he is busy to- 
night he would send his chauffeur. Billy is great to me. 

Gen. I should say so. (Ti? Cind.) Will you go? 

Cind. Will I go? Why do you want me to go? 

Gen. Why, you are the one to go. You discovered their 
meeting place. 

Cind. What do I have to do ? 

Gen. Steal their banner and get it into my hands. Oh, 
could you do it ? If you could you have lifted our class to 
heights of fame. 

Cind. Mercy, I feel kind of shaky. I don't have to go 
alone, do I ? 



A MODERN CINDERELLA I5 

Gen. No, you can take five girls with you. Any that you 
want. 

CiND. (Jookhig arotmd at the girls). There are just five of 
you here. Will you go? 

All. Will we ? Well, rather ! 

CiND. Are you sure it's all right for freshmen to go ? 
Hadn't we better ask Mrs. Mitford ? 

Gen. Sure ! Wait a minute. ( Goes to a speaking tube 
near the centre exit ; rings a bell; listens.^ Miss Maxwell? 
May I speak to Mrs. Mitford, please ? Oh, it's Genevieve. 
{FauseJ) Aunt Amy ? I just wanted to ask you if I have a 
right to send some freshmen into the senior meeting to-night ? 
Yes, I'm president. All right. Thank you. (^Comes for- 
ward.') She says that there has never been a freshman fresh 
enough to try it but that we have an equal chance with the 
other classes. {^Grabs CiND. around the waist.) Oh, oh ! 
Miss O'Brien ! 

CiND. You had better wait, Miss Nichols ! I'm not there 
yet. 

All. But you are going ? 

CiND. Yes, I'm going but they will be on the lookout, 
won't they ? How in the world am I going to get in ? 

Esther. Oh, that's always the question ! 

CiND. {thoughtfully). I believe I know a way. What's the 
number of the Silver Lake House ? 

( Goes to telephone. Mary grabs the book and looks up the 
number.) 

Gen. For goodness' sake, talk softly. {Goes to door c.) 
Watch the other doors, girls. 

(Lou. goes to door l., at«</EDNA to door R.) 

CiND. {at telephone). Fordham 271. {Pause.) Hello ! 
May I speak to Stephen O'Brien, please? {Pause.) Hello! 
Uncle Steve ? Yes, this is Cinderella. Say, I want to have a 
lark. Some seniors are going out to the hotel from here to- 
night; If I go out early will you let me wait on them, and not 
let them know who I am ? Do you think you could manage 
it ? And I want a room reserved for five girls who are going 
out with me and we don't want anything said about that. No, 
of course we are not going to stay over night. Just an hour or 
two. All right. Good-bye. {To the girls.) I happened to 



l6 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

think that my uncle is the chef out there so I guess we will be 
all right. 

Gen. Oh, Miss O'Brien, you are a wonder ! 

Edna. Is your name really Cinderella ? 

CiND. (laughing). Yes. 

Lou. Oh, Mith O'Brien, do you thuppothe you can really 
thteal the banner ? 

CiND. That's what I am going for. Call up your brother. 
Miss Barnes. We want a good start. I must write these letters. 
Thank goodness there are only three. Does any one know any- 
thing about a card index ? 

Edna. Yes, I do. 

CiND. Put these cards in. 

Gen. Goodness, what a whirlwind you are. Miss O'Brien ! 

CiND. {writing rapidly). And some one get me a little 
apron and a cap. (Jumps tip and slips her apron off.) I 
guess this dress will do. 

(She wears a black dress trimmed with red.) 

Gen. I will get what you need. I can get you a wig too, I 
think. Pauline showed me the Dramatic Club tilings the other 
day. If the box isn't locked I can get some dandy things. 
Come with me, Louise. 

(Gen. and Lou. exeunt, c. Cind. and Edna work at desk. 
Esther goes to telephone. Mary guards the doors.) 

Esther (at telephone). Fairview 24. Yes. (Pause.) 
Hello 1 Mamma ? Yes, this is your darling child. Is Billy 
there ? Yes, very important. (Pause.) Hello, Billy ! Are 
you busy to-night ? Will you do something for me ? Take six 
of us girls out to the Silver Lake House in the car and bring us 
back again. Yes, every girl is exceedingly handsome. Just 
wait until you see Cinderella. No, this is no fairy story. Yes, 
we will have to stay out there a little while. No, Cinderella 
will be busy and she can't talk to you all the time. Well, we'll 
tell you what's doing on the way out. No, you mustn't come 
here. This is a secret affair. You come to — well, let's see — 
to the park and wait in front of the soldiers' monument. No, 
you aren't helping Cinderella to elope with any one. You stop 
jollying me and come right over. What ? Mother wants to 
know if Mrs. Mitford knows what we are doing ? Yes, she 
does. Everything is perfectly proper. Good-bye. (Gen. 



A MODERN CINDERELLA I7 

and Lou. enter, c. Gen. carries a small suit case.) Every- 
thing is arranged. My brother will take us. 

Gen. Good! We got a wig. (^Takes a wig of curls from 
the suit case.) See how you will look in this. 

(Puts it on CiND.'s head. Cind. goes on writing and pays 
no attention to them.) 

Mary. Doesn't she look cute ? 

Edna. Her own mother wouldn't know her ! 

(Gen. puts the wig back into the suit case.) 

Lou. (taking a pair of red slippers from the case and 
kneeling infrojit of Cind.). Puth your foot outh here and thee 
if theth will fit. (Takes off Cind.'s black shoe and puts a red 
one on.) Thee if you can walk in thoth. 

Cind. (Jhrowi?ig down her pen). There ! Finished at last ! 
( Walks across the stage.) Yes, these fit all right. 

(Gen. sits at desk and writes. Slips the paper into an 
envelope and seals it. ) 

Mary. What are you doing, Gene ? 

Gen. I heard the sophomore president say that she had to 
write the names of the six girls on the committee and their 
destination and hand it in to Miss Maxwell. I suppose that is 
to prevent any girl who might be so inclined from taking ad- 
vantage of the situation and spending the evening out. There ! 
I believe we are ready at last I How do you feel, Miss 
O'Brien ? Are you ready to fight for the cause ? 

Cind. (laughing). Yes, to the last drop, captain ! (Makes 
a dramatic gesture.) For the honor and fame of our gallant 
freshmen ! 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Room in the Silver Lake House. Exits r. and l. 

Dining table in C. tiear the back of the room. Chairs. 

A coat-tree at L, a little in the background. A pia7io if pos- 
sible near the front of stage at R. 

{As the curtain rises Cind. stands in c. of stage. She wears 
the wig of curls, apron and cap. Gen., Mary, Esther, 
Lou., and Edna stand around her putting the finishing 
touches to her costume. The girls' things are scattered 
about the room in every direction.') 

Gen. Oh, Miss O'Brien, you do look great ! 

Mary, Doesn't she ? 

Edna. Just think of the fame you are bringing our class ! 

Cind. {trying not to show how pleased she is). You had 
better wait and see how things turn out ! 

Gen. No matter how they turn out, we are the first fresh- 
men who ever tried to steal the senior banner. That's some 
fame ! Another thing, you mark my words, we are the only 
ones who know that the seniors are coming here to-night. 
That's some more fame. It's no use. Miss O'Brien, the fresh- 
men owe you a rising vote of thanks, all right. 

Cind. Well, thank Miss Barnes for getting us out here. 
If it hadn't been for her and her brother 

All. That's right ! We do thank her. 

Gen. Goodness, Miss Barnes, you've got the classiest 
brother ! I had palpitation of the heart every time I looked at 
him. 

Mary. Why, Gene Mitford ! 

Gen. Well, I did, and you were just as struck as I was, 
only you aren't honest enough to admit it. 

Esther. Well, there wasn't any chance for any one with 
Cinderella along. I never saw Billy so gone. He could 
hardly manage the car and he told me he wished to heaven he 
was a prince. 

Cind. (very much confused). Oh — girls, for pity's sake, 
don't talk so foolish ! 

i8 



A MODERN CINDERELLA I9 

Lou. Oh, dear ! I'm the exthited ! I'm jeth thaking all 
over, and I have lotht Ihumthin. I had thumthin in my hand 
but I don't even remember whath I had. 

CiND. What became of those red slippers ? 

Edna. I don't know. Who had them ? 

Gen. I didn't ! That's sure ! (^Laughs.) Who had 
Cinderella's slippers? 

Lou. {suddeftly). I didth. Thath's what I had in my hand. 

Esther. Well, what did you do with them ? 

Lou. I haven't the leatht idea. 

Edna. My goodness, Louise, haven't you any head at all ? 

Lou. I don't theem to have. Ithn't it fearful ? 

Mary. Well, it certainly is. Did you have them in your 
hand when you came in here ? 

Lou. I'm noth thure. I think tho. 

Gen. Oh, glory ! Get busy, girls ! 

{They hunt for the slippers.') 

Esther. Perhaps you left them in the auto. 

Mary (^finding thefn). No, she didn't ! Here they are ! 

(J^ives them to Cind., who puts them on.) 

Lou. Well, I'm thankful. Girlths, you don't thee my 
thilver coin-purth, do you ? I don't thee where I puth it. 

Gen. Oh, good-night ! 

Mary. Miss Nichols ! 

Gen. Well, I don't care. Miss Montgomery's belongings 
are getting on my nerves. 

Lou. Yeth, they do on mine. Ith thirtinly fearful. 

Mary {taking the purse from the table). Here's your 
purse. 

Lou. Oh, thank you. 

Esther {taking a handkerchief from one of the chairs). 
And your handkerchief. 

Lou. {taking it). Oh, my goodneth ! {In despair.) Ith 
no uthe. 

Gen. Girls, I hear an auto ! 

Mary. Oh, gracious, it may be the seniors ! 

Esther. Come on ! 

{They gather up their things.) 

Edna. Take ^.ilia's things ! 
Lou. Yeth ! Thirtinly ! 



20 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

{Takes CiND.'s boots and coat. All exeunt , r.) 

Gen, {looking back from door). Oh, do be careful, Miss 
O'Brien. Remember what is at stake ! 

{There is a slight pause. Cind. tries to busy herself about 
the room. Hazel enters, l. She wears an evening dress, 
a long cape and a lace cap. She is very nervous and 
glances about doubtfully.) 

Hazel. Is this the reception-room ? 

Cind. No, this is a private dining-room. The reception- 
room is across the hall, on the other side. {Indicates r. exit.) 

Hazel. Well, it will be all right if I wait here a few min- 
utes, won't it? Has any one been asking for me? My name 
is Fiske. 

Cind. I don't know. I will inquire, if you like. 

Hazel. Yes, do so, please. \_Exit Cind., l. 

(Gen. looks cautiously in at r. Looks very much surprised 
when she sees Hazel. Enters.) 

Gen. Why, Miss Fiske, what are you doing way out here ? 

Hazel {indignantly). Well, I think I might ask that ques- 
tion myself. 

Gen. {in surprise). I didn't mean to offend you. Cer- 
tainly you may ask and I will answer if you will promise not to 
give us away. Miss O'Brien of our class discovered that the 
senior committee is coming here to-night and 

Hazel. Coming here? Oh, heaven! Mrs. Mitford is 
coming with them ! 

Gen. Well, doesn't she know you are here ? 

Hazel {sharply). No, she doesn't ! 

Gen. Miss Fiske, of course it isn't anything to me, but are 
you on your way to that party you spoke of? 

Hazel. Yes, I am, if you must know. Mr. Harris is to 
meet me here. The maid has gone to inquire if he has come. 

Gen. {thoughtfully). Well, come over in the reception- 
room with me. The maid will let you know when he comes. 
You surely don't want to run into the senior party. 

Hazel. No, I don't. Thank you. You are very kind, 
I'm sure. \They exeunt, r. 

Enter Cind., l. Gen. reenters, r. 

Gen. Has a young man come for Miss Fiske ? 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 21 

CiND. No, not yet. Doesn't she belong in our class ? 

Gen. Yes, she does, and she is perfectly crazy. She has 
come way out here alone to meet a young man and go to a 
party when Aunt Amy told her she couldn't come. She will 
be sent home as sure as fate ! I will hold onto her some way, 
and if he comes you send him away. We will have to get 
Miss Fiske out of this mess if we can, but you have to handle 
her with gloves. She is awfully touchy. I think perhaps you 
can do the most toward helping her because she didn't recog- 
nize you. 

CiND. No, she didn't, and the seniors won't if she didn't, 
because they hardly know me by sight. I will do the best I 
can to get rid of Mr. Harris. You will stay fairly near, won't 
you ? I may not have a chance to run far with the banner. 

Gen. Oh, never fear. We'll be as near as we dare to be. 

CiND. I hear another auto. 

{Goes to door at l. and listens,') 

Gen. Do you suppose they have come ? 

CiND. {after a pause). Yes, they have. I can hear Miss 
Mitford's voice. She is asking about supper. {A bell rings.) 
That's my bell to go down. 

Gen. {laughing). Good-night ! 

(Gen. exits, r. Cind. exits, L. Slight pause. She reenters 
followed by Mrs. M., Miss St. Eustis, Paul., Avis, 
Enid, Ethel, Dor. and Lucile. They wear evening 
dresses and wraps.) 

Paul, {looking about). Oh, this room will do nicely, {To 
Cind.) About how long do you think it will be before we can 
have supper ? 

(Miss St. E. looks at Cind. with much interest, and 
Mrs. M. regards her curiously.) 

Cind. I don't know exactly, but I don't believe it will take 
very long. I will take your things for you, and then I will ask 
when you can be served. Did you give an order? 

Paul. Yes. Let me help you, Miss St. Eustis. 

Lucile. And let me. 

{They assist Miss St. E. 7vith her things.) 

Avis. And I will look after Mrs. Mitford. 
Mrs. M. Thank you. 



22 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

(Ethel places a large box on one of the chairs. All re- 
move their wraps, which Cind. hangs on the coat-tree. 
She exits, l.) 

Enid {looking after her). Did you ever see such a cute 
girl? 

All. Never ! 

Avis. She's perfectly dear. 

Miss St. E. She is more than that. 

Mrs. M. She reminds me of some one. 

Miss St. E. She has a face and a natural manner which 
make me want to pick her up and run away with her. 

Paul. Is it hard to pose, Miss St. Eustis ? 

Miss St. E. Well, yes, very tiresome for those who can 
do it at all. There is seldom a girl who makes a good model. 
When you see one you are crazy to take immediate possession. 

Ethel. Oh, girls, isn't this the best ever? 

Enid. Yes, but not so exciting as it might be. Just think, 
Mrs. Mitford, Pauline has been so clever that not a girl suspects 
we are here. 

Mrs. M. Are you sure of that ? 

Dor. Absolutely. The juniors have gone to the Ritz and 
the sophomores to Montclair's. 

Lucile (with a gesture toward the box). I guess we won't 
have any need of the lunch, Pauline. 

Miss St. E. Lunch ? Did you bring a box of lunch ? 

All. Yes. 

Avis. You see, Pauline didn't dare to telephone out that 
we were coming, for we have had dozens of girls watching us 
all day. 

Paul. And I was afraid we might not be able to get a 
supper when we got here. And I wasn't taking any chances. 

Miss St. E. {highly amused). Mrs. Miiford, there is no 
place that I ever enjoy visiting as I do your school. 

Mrs. M. That's good news, I'm sure. 

Enter Cind., l. 

Cind. You will have to wait about half an hour for what 
you have ordered. Mr. Randall says there is a fine view from 
the tower, and as there is a moon he thinks you might enjoy 
going up there. He has gone up with the key to open up for 
you. 

All. How lovely ! Isn't that great ! 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 23 

Mrs. M. Very kind of him, I'm sure. Shall we go right 
up? 

CiND. Yes'm. Straight ahead, up the stairs. 

\^They exeunt, l. 

(Gen. comes to door, r,, and looks in, then enters cautiously.) 

Gen. They have really come ? 

CiND. Yes, they are up in the tower. 

Gen. Hazel Fiske is fit to be tied. Did the young man 
come for her ? 

CiND. Yes, and he has gone again. (Edna, Esther, 
Mary and Lou. enter, r. ) My goodness! If you girls are 
going to float around here this way, we will be pretty sure to 
be caught. 

Gen. Yes, that's right ! It's ridiculous ! You have no 
right to come out here. 

Edna. Neither have you. 

Gen. Well, I just wanted to know if the seniors had really 
come. 

Esther. Well, don't you suppose we wanted to know, too? 

Lou. They have ! {Looks at coat-tree.) Thath Pauline 
Mithford's cape. 

Mary (walking about). Where do you suppose the ban- 
ner is ? 

Cind. I haven't the least idea. 

Gen. (itnpatiently). We couldn't touch it now if we did 
know. Do go back, girls ! 

Edna {going to box on the chair). What's this? 

{Lifts the cover.) 

Mary. A box of lunch ! 

Esther. Who said lunch? I'm starved ! 

Lou. Tho am I ! Ith thumthin fearful ! 

Mary. Why in the world did they bring a lunch ? 

Cind. Perhaps they thought they couldn't get supper here. 

Mary. Well, aren't they going to? 

Cind. Yes. 

Edna. Then they don't need the lunch. 

Esther. Just look at it all ! 

Cind. You should have a great respect for that box of 
lunch. I suspect that my mother put it up, and that is how 
she happened to know where the seniors were coming. 



24 A MODERN CINDERhLLA 

Gen. Pauline made all her arrangements so well I don't see 
how she ever came to mention the name of their meeting place 
even to your mother, 

Lou. Thereth alwayth a weak thpot in every campaign. 

Edna. Well, the weakest spot in this one is my stomach. 
We will just relieve the seniors of their lunch. 

{Takes the box up.') 

Esther. Oh, this is like stealing candy from a kid. 
Cind. {alarmed). Oh, do you think it's safe to do that ? 
Edna. Sure ! They'll never miss it until they come to go 
home. 

Esther. Come on ! 
Gen. Yes, do go back ! 

(Esther, Edna, Mary and Lou. exeu7it r., takitig the box 
with them.) 

Cind. {uneasily). I don't believe they ought to have taken 
the lunch. 

Gen. Oh, let them swallow box and all, if they will only 
stay out of here. 

Enter Hazel, r. 

Hazel {to Cind.). Hasn't Mr. Harris come yet? 

Cind. {innocently). Why, are you still here? Yes, he 
came, but I didn't know what had become of you. I told him 
you were here but had gone. He wanted to know where, but 
of course I hadn't the least idea. 

Hazel. Stupidity ! Why didn't you inquire for me ? 
What am I going to do ? 

Gen. Why don't you go back to school ? The quicker you 
go the better for you, I can tell you that. 

Hazel. I don't thank you for any advice, but as long as 
you are so exceedingly wise you might suggest a way for me to 
go back. 

Gen. Why, how did you get out here ? 

Hazel. In an auto I hired in Fairview. I told the chauf- 
feur he needn't wait, for I knew Mr. Harris would take me 
back. Probably he has gone on to the party. I might be abie 
to get him on the telephone. 

Gen. {decidedly). I want you to listen to me, Miss Fiske. 
You have practically told me to mind my own business, but I 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 25 

don't believe you know what you are getting yourself into. If 
you have always done as you pleased you will find that you 
can't do it here. The girls you are associating with now don't 
do the sort of thing you have done to-night. You took a terri- 
ble chance when you came out here, and if Aunt Amy finds it 
out she will send you home. Perhaps you don't care if she 
does, but if you do care you had better get back to Fairview 
as fast as you can. 

Hazel. But how can I get there ? 

Gen. Well, I think possibly we can manage to take you 
back with us. Come over in the other room with the girls and 
keep out of sight. 

Hazel. But you said the girls 

Gen. Yes, the girls will probably despise yon, but it's your 
only chance, and they will stand by you no matter what they 
think of you. If you care about our opinion you will have to 
find a way of making good. Are you coining? 

Hazel [beginning to cry). There doesn't seem to be any- 
thing else for me to do. You are the most disagreeable girl I 
ever met in my life. 

Gen. Thanks. 

CiND. (^froni door ai h.). They're coming ! 

Gen. Come on ! Quick ! \^Exif, r., with Hazel. 

Enter Mrs. M., Miss St. E., and seniors, l. Cind. arranges 
the table for supper. 

Miss St. E. Here's a piano. With so many young ladies 
I should think we might have music while we wait. 

Paul. Yes, every one plays and Doris sings. 

Dor. And Pauline and Avis can do the very latest maxixe. 

Avis. And Enid recites. 

Ethel. That leaves me to do the playing. I can go first 
and have it over with. 

i^She goes to the piano. ^ 

Paul, {going to the coat- tree and taking a banner frofn her 
coat). Where shall I put the banner? 

Enid. It doesn't make any difference. We are absolutely 
safe. 

(Paul, places the banner in a conspicuous place. A varied 
programme may be introduced if desired. The last num- 
ber a popular song in which all the girls join. During 



26 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

this song CiND. steals the ban?ier and exits r. Mrs. M. 
is the only one who notices her.) 

Mrs. M. {at the conclusion of the song). Girls, your ban- 
ner is gone. 

All {in astonishment). Gone? 

Paul, {laughing). You took it ! 

Mrs. M. No, I'm not joking. Some girl stole your banner 
while you were singing. 

All. Who ? 

Mrs. M. I'm not sure that I know. 

Paul. Don't stand here and talk ! Run ! 

{They start for door, l. Avis is the first to reach it.) 

Avis. There they go ! They are freshmen ! 

All. Freshmen ? 

Avis {outside). Yes, that's Esther Barnes ! 

[^Exeunt girls, l. 
Miss St. E. Oh, don't stay here ! Let us follow and see 
the fun. 

Mrs. M. Very well. As you like. \_They exeunt, l. 

(Mary and Lou. rush in r.) 

Lou. Oh, my goodneth ! My goodneth ! I'm jeth abouth 
dead ! 

Mary. Don't say a word ! Isn't this awful? And we are 
all separated. Where do you suppose Gene is ? 

Lou. I'm thure I don't know. The latht I thaw of her she 
wath eatin' a ham thandwith and runnin' down the backth 
thtairs. Maybe she thoked to death. {Looks out, l.) Oh, 
Mith Mithford ith coming ! 

{They rush to door, r.) 

Mary. And Miss Ames that way ! 

Lou. We're cauth ! 

Mary. Not by a good deal ! Come ! 

{They hide behind the coat-tree, the girls' things hiding them 
from view. Paul, enters, l. Dor. enters, k., followed 
by Avis and Enid.) 

Paul. No luck ? 

Avis. No ! We've been way down-stairs, through the cor- 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 27 

ridor and up on this side. The girl who had the banner had 
a light coat on. I thought I was going to get her, but she 
gave me the shp. 

Enter Miss St. E. , l, , with a red slipper in her hand. 

Miss St. E. Miss Mitford, find the owner of this slipper 
and you will have the girl who stole the banner. She lost it 
on the stairs and didn't dare to stop and pick it up. 

Avis. Who does that belong to ? 

Enid. Isn't it pretty? 

Paul, {examining the slipper^. That came out of our Dra- 
matic Club box ! Well, the nerve of this year's freshmen ! 
Come on ! Don't stand here ! For goodness' sake catch some 
one ! There's probably six of them around. 

\_Exeunt girls, h., followed by Miss St. E. 

Mary [coming forward cautiously). That was a close 
shave. 

Lou. (following her). I never wath tho exthited in my 
life! 

Enter CiHT)., r. She wears a long light coat. She carries 
the banner and has lost a slipper. 

CiND. Thank heaven, you are here ! Miss Montgomery, 
where are my boots ? 

Lou. Your booth ? Goodneth ! I don't know. Didth I 
have them ? 

CiND. Yes, I saw them in your hand, and I should have 
had sense enough to have taken them away from you. 

Lou. Thath rigth, you should. I haven't the leath idea. 

CiND. Well, I'll have to go with one slipper. It isn't safe 
to wait a minute. They'll have me and recapture their ban- 
ner. Miss Nichols should have stayed near the door. 

Mary. Well, you see we were eating lunch and we had no 
idea that you were going to capture the banner so early. 

Enter Hazel, l. 

Hazel. Oh, dear, I met Mrs. Mitford face to face. There's 
no getting out of this mess now. Oh, why did I ever come ! 

Mary (from door, l.). Here comes the seniors full force ! 

Lou. (from door, r.). And the girlths are comin' thith 
way. Oh, quickth ! We're goin* to meeth ! 

( Waves her hands to indicate the meeting.) 



28 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

CiND. {quickly). No, don't go. Stay where you are ! 
(Futs banner into Hazel's hand.) Give this banner to Miss 
Nichols. 

Hazel. I don't understand. 

CiND. Never mind. It will save you. Give it to Gene in 
full sight of the seniors. 

(CiND. takes refuge behind the coat-tree just as the seniors 
enter, L., followed by Mrs. M. and Miss St. E., who 
still carries the red slipper iti her ha?id. ) 

Paul, (rushing for Hazel). At last ! 

Enter Gen., Edna afwrtT Esther, r. 

Hazel (placing the banner in Gen.'s hand just as Paul, 
reaches her). Miss Nichols ! 

Gen. (delighted as she grasps the banner). Ours ! 

Paul. Yes, yours ! I give up ! (She tries to hide her dis- 
appointment.) Gene, I congratulate you. You have accom- 
plished what no other freshman class ever tried to do before. 

(Turns to Hazel.) To you, Miss — er Who is this 

young lady. Gene ? 

Gen. {who is looking about for Cind., answers impatiently). 
Miss Fiske. 

Paul. To you, Miss Fiske, are all the honors. You have 
accomplished what no girl of any class has ever been able to 
do. Your class is greatly indebted to you. The juniors 
would think it was a pretty wonderful thing to enjoy the privi- 
leges of the seniors. I don't know how the freshmen can feel 
about it. 

Miss St. E. (coming forward). Miss Fiske, will you oblige 
me by trying on this slipper ? 

Hazel (in surprise). Are you in earnest ? 

Miss St. E. Yes, I am. 

Hazel. Is this one of the customs of the occasion ? 
(Tries the slipper.) It doesn't fit. It is too small. 

Miss St. E. The young lady who captured the banner was 
wearing that shoe. You can all see that it is not Miss Fiske to 
whom you should accord the honors. 

Hazel (to Paul.). Miss Mitford, that is true. I didn't 
steal the banner. Miss O'Brien captured it, and to her belong 
all the honors. I didn't have anything to do with this affair. 
She placed the banner in my hand and gave her chance to me 



A MODERN CINDERELLA 29 

to save me. I came out here against your mother's orders to 
meet a young man and attend a party. 

Mrs. M. Why, Miss Fiske, is it possible that 

Gen. {breaking iri). Oh, Aunt Amy, it took lots of courage 
for Miss Fiske to own up to that. I told her if you knew that 
you would send her home, and we were trying to help her be- 
cause she is really sorry that she came. Oh, please promise 
that you won't send her home. 

Mary ^ r Please, Mrs. Mitford ! 

Edna I , , ti, \ \ Yes, do ! 

Lou. f VOSetner). < Y\&z.v\i do, Mrs. Mithford ! 

Esther J I Oh, please promise ! 

Mrs. M. {to Hazel). Do you want another chance ? 

Hazel. Indeed I do ! 

Mrs. M. Very well, we wiJl talk about it to-morrow. 

Paul, {to Gen.). You say that — er — Miss O'Brien — cap- 
tured the banner ? 

Gen. Yes, Cinderella O'Brien. 

Seniors. Where is she ? 

Lou. I think thee ith hanginth on the coath-tree. 

Gen. (^pulling Cind. forward^. Come out here, Cin- 
derella ! 

Seniors. Our waitress ? 

Gen. Yes, she planned everything, serving and all. To 
her belongs all the credit. 

Paul. So this is Miss O'Brien. 

Mrs. M. {^gently removing Cind.'s wig). No, this is Miss 
O'Brien. 

Miss St. E. And she has lost a slipper. {Hands Cind. 
the slipper.') I think you will find that this one fits. Mrs. 
Mitford, will you lend me this little girl for two or three after- 
noons every week, that is if I can make satisfactory arrange- 
ments with her ? 

Mrs. M. I will be glad to if you will promise not to keep 
her. Miss O'Brien is very valuable to me. 

Miss St. E. {to Cind.). And some afternoon you can bring 
these freshmen out to the studio with you for supper. 

Paul. It's no use. You freshmen have landed on your 
feet. There is only one thing left that I can do. Will you all 
stay to supper with us ? 

Gen. {coolly). Well, we have already eaten your lunch 

Seniors {looking toward the chair where the box was). 
What? 



30 A MODERN CINDERELLA 

Gen. But we can manage a little supper as well. 

Avis (J?i despair^. We might as well give up ! 

CiND. And I will serve the supper just as we planned. 

Paul. Indeed you will not 1 You will sit at the head of 
the table in the place of honor. Believe me, we seniors know 
how to take defeat and we one and all doff our hats to " A 
Modern Cinderella." 

(She leads Cind. io the head of the table. The others follow 
as the curtain falls.) 



CURTAIN 



New Plays for Female Characters 

LUCIA'S LOVER 

A Farce in Three Acts 

By Bertha Currier Porter 
Eight females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays an 
hour and a half. A bright and graceful piece, light in character, but sym- 
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Price, 2^ cents 

A GIRL IN A THOUSAND 

A Comedy in Four Acts 
By Evelyn Gray Whiting 
Foarteen females. Costumes, modern ; scenes, three interiors and an 
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Price, 25 cents 

A VIRGINIA HEROINE 

A Comedy in Three Acts 
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Price, 2§ cents 

HOW THE STORY GREW 

An Entertainment for Women's Clubs, in One Act 

By O. W. Gleason 
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Price, 75 cents 

Sent, post-paid, on receipt of price, by 

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New Plays 



THE COLLEGE CHAP 

A Comedy- Drama in Three Acts 
By Harry L. Newton and John Pierre Roche 
Eleven males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, twro inte- 
riors. Plays two and a half hours. An admirable play for amateurs. Ab- 
solutely American in spirit and up-to-date ; full of sympathetic interest 
but plenty of comedy ; lots of healthy sentiment, but nothing " mushy." 
Just the thing for high schools ; sane, effective, and not difficult. 
Price, 2j cents 

CHARACTERS 
Elijah Gooding, a villnge product. 
Seth HiNES,y«5/ as tired. 
Art VVimpel, chief clerk. Occidental Hotel. 
Samuel Crane, proprietor of the Occidental Hotel. 
Starr Clay, promoter of fay 1. C. Trolley Line. 
Bart Eatot^, factotum of the "Clarion." 
John Drew Irving, advance agent and drummtr. 
Will Sellum, a traveling salesman. 
Bill, a bell-boy. 
George, another. 
Dave Crane, the college chap. 
Sallie Crane, in love with Art. 
Mrs. Jane Crane, the mother. 
Madge Clay, the girl. 
Gertie Flye, the news stand girl. 
Mrs. Mortimer Jones-Brown, a progressive woman. 
Mrs. Heziah Jenks, of the Chester Culture Club. 
Miss Margaret Seymour, secret try of Chester Culture Qub, 
SYNOPSIS 

Act I. — Office of the Occidental Hotel. 

Act II. — Office of the Chester Clarion, six months later. 

Act III. — Office of the Occidental Hotel, eight months later. 

A TELEGRAM FROM DAD 

A Farce in One Act 

By y. M. Taylor 
Six males, one female ;'4the latter can be played by a man. Costumes, 
modern ; scene, an interior. Plays thirty minutes. A college farce, very 
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SPECIAL DELIVERY 

A Farce in One Act 

By D. M. Henderson 
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Suited for any use. Pria, i^ cents 



Jl* yj. Pinero's Plays 

Price, 50 €t Iff €acb 



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A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE '^-:;^^i;^tr^. 

Costumes, modern; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

l^alter ?|. pafeer Sc Companp 

NOo 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0J5 g:^!,! ^gg y"^ 



C|)e William 5^arren Ctiition 
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S. J. PARKHILC & CO , PRINTERS. BOSTON. USA. 



